Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-2-melodic-devices

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [Music](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music.md) › [Edexcel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel.md) › Melodic Devices

# Melodic Devices

Music: Edexcel GCSE, topic 1.1.2

## Sequences and Imitation

Melodic devices include sequences, imitation, ornamentation, and leitmotif. It is also important that you understand the difference between diatonic and chromatic melody.

### Sequence

![Sequence](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/b9b6f852-3efe-41e3-b6d0-93083d1d1f30/rock-and-roll-2.jpeg)

- This is the most commonly used melodic device and is when a short melodic idea is moved up or down a step. 
- This can be either an ascending (going up) or descending (going down) sequence.

### Example

![Example](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-02/24a7145a-9741-45d7-9922-568a88aede80/steps-1081909_960_720.jpg)

- For example:
  - Original melody = C D E G.
  - Ascending sequence = D E F A (every note up one step in the musical scale.)
  - Descending sequence = B C D F (every note down one step in the musical scale).

### Set works

![Set works](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/04410464-5c1c-49da-b70f-94b0d75182a8/bach-music-classical-composer-.jpg)

- Sequences are very common in Baroque and Classical music.
- Therefore they are important features in the Bach, Purcell and Beethoven set works. 
- See if you can spot some ascending and descending sequences in these pieces.

### Imitation

![Imitation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/c41cd667-5d57-42d3-aae3-5834c190e239/choir-hyms-singing-.jpg)

- Although we usually refer to imitation as a type of musical texture, it can also be a useful term when discussing melodic pitch.
- Imitation is basically when a short musical idea (or motif) is played or sung by one part and then immediately copied by another. 
- This can be an exact repetition, but is usually a slightly altered version of the original motif.

### Set works

![Set works](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/fadc6133-53fb-47cf-8553-644e848c5a5f/choir-boys-church-music-sing-.jpg)

- Imitation is used extensively in the Brandenburg Concerto set work by Bach.

## Ornamentation

Melodic devices include sequences, imitation, ornamentation, and leitmotif. It is also important that you understand the difference between diatonic and chromatic melody.

### Ornamentation

![Ornamentation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-02/8e44d141-6040-4053-b326-80cf43454a57/christmas-tree-.jpg)

- Ornamentation refers to the various ways in which a melody can be ‘decorated’. 
- These are not normally written out in full notation, but are indicated using symbols. 
- The main ornaments to be aware of are:

### Trills

![Trills](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-09/8fc9d9b2-4e3a-4e88-9482-660b1361c0b1/Music_Trill.png)

- Trills: a rapid repetition of two notes which are next to each other.

### Mordents

![Mordents](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-09/c84e4aba-66b8-4749-b9c7-938961d00a0c/Mordent%20symbol.png)

- There are two types of mordent: 
  - Upper mordent: 
   - Going from the first note quickly UP to the next note and then DOWN again to the original note. 
  - Lower mordent: 
   - Going from the first note quickly DOWN to the next note and then UP again to the original note.

### Mordent symbols

![Mordent symbols](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-09/2f48e644-838b-43cc-b454-e001a61e0ea0/Upper%20%26%20Lower%20Mordent%20(1).png)

### Acciaccatura

![Acciaccatura](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-09/a14d37ac-be1a-4f9a-a913-4d70a0719e3c/Acciaccatura%20(1).png)

- Acciaccatura: A note that is played very quickly, immediately before a melody note.

### A turn

![A turn](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-09/1b35ddc7-fd7a-4cac-82be-33d2157f352e/Turn%20Symbol%20(1).png)

- A turn is a bit more complicated! 
- It follows this order:
  - Original note → note above → original note → note below → original note. 
  - E.g. CDCBC
- Examples of these ornaments can be found in the Bach, Beethoven and Purcell set works.

## Other Melodic Devices

Melodic devices include sequences, imitation, ornamentation, and leitmotif. It is also important that you understand the difference between diatonic and chromatic melody.

### Leitmotifs

![Leitmotifs](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/9c641d3c-f3d6-4f70-bba2-dc3b54cab666/old-tv-1149416_1920.jpg)

- A leitmotif is a short melodic idea which represents a particular character, place or mood. 
- Leitmotifs were originally used in operas but can be found in musical theatre and film/TV music.

### Examples

![Examples](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/b265494b-ed6d-4789-83d9-e8f5549b455f/shark.jpeg)

- Good examples of famous leitmotifs are:
  - The Jaws theme.
  - Darth Vader’s Imperial March.
  - The Shire Theme from Lord of the Rings.

### Set works

![Set works](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-02/db760e08-f01f-47e5-a5d4-4ef9431f446f/star-wars-robot-r2d2-.jpg)

- Leitmotifs can be found in these set works:
  - John Williams (Star Wars).
  - Stephen Schwartz (Defying Gravity).

### Diatonic or chromatic?

![Diatonic or chromatic?](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/706c491e-26fc-4078-85fe-823a6e2de381/music-notes-score-sheet-.jpg)

- These two words tend to come up a lot in the GCSE music course. 
- It is really important you understand the difference between them as they are really useful when answering questions about melody and harmony.

### Diatonic

![Diatonic](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/3fd38908-6b00-4384-95b3-5822f68493c5/silhouette-music-note.png)

- Diatonic means that the notes in the melody are based entirely on the scale of the key signature.
- For example, a diatonic melody in C Major would only use the notes C D E F G A B C.

### Chromatic

![Chromatic](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/70bfcdee-ad73-4c92-b6b5-dce02afeb564/piano-instrument-music-.jpg)

- Chromatic refers to melodic notes which are not in the scale of the key signature. 
- For example, a chromatic melody in C Major may include the notes F# or Bb (both of which are not in the scale of C Major).

## Test yourself on Melodic Devices

- Which ornament does this symbol indicate?
- Where were leitmotifs originally used?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/8a9f121c-bdb0-42db-bbd6-a88f8f723518/section/0c2a8347-eee1-4d35-9503-1759d7c774e9/session)

- Previous topic: [1.1.1 Melodic Pitch](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-1-melodic-pitch.md)
- Next topic: [1.1.3 Harmonic Pitch](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-3-harmonic-pitch.md)

## Music: Edexcel GCSE contents

### 1 Musical Elements
- 1.1 Organisation of Pitch
  - [1.1.1 Melodic Pitch](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-1-melodic-pitch.md)
  - [1.1.2 Melodic Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-2-melodic-devices.md)
  - [1.1.3 Harmonic Pitch](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-3-harmonic-pitch.md)
  - [1.1.4 Harmonic Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-4-harmonic-devices.md)
  - [1.1.5 Harmonic Progressions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-5-harmonic-progressions.md)
- 1.2 Tonality
  - [1.2.1 Major & Minor Tonality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-2-1-major-and-minor-tonality.md)
  - [1.2.2 End of Topic Test - Musical Elements](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-2-2-end-of-topic-test-musical-elements.md)

### 2 Instrumental Music 1700–1820
- 2.1 Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major
  - [2.1.1 Concerto No. 5 in D Major](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-1-concerto-no-5-in-d-major.md)
  - [2.1.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [2.1.3 Instrumentation & Texture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-3-instrumentation-and-texture.md)
  - [2.1.4 Harmony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-4-harmony.md)
  - [2.1.5 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-5-wider-listening.md)
- 2.2 Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’
  - [2.2.1 Piano Sonata No. 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-1-piano-sonata-no-8.md)
  - [2.2.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [2.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-3-other-features.md)
  - [2.2.4 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-4-wider-listening.md)
  - [2.2.5 End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-5-end-of-topic-test-instrumental-music-1700-1820.md)

### 3 Vocal Music
- 3.1 Purcell: Music for a While
  - [3.1.1 Music for a While](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-1-music-for-a-while.md)
  - [3.1.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-2-other-features.md)
  - [3.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-3-wider-listening.md)
- 3.2 Queen: Killer Queen
  - [3.2.1 Killer Queen](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-1-killer-queen.md)
  - [3.2.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-2-other-features.md)
  - [3.2.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-3-wider-listening.md)
  - [3.2.4 End of Topic Test - Vocal Music](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-4-end-of-topic-test-vocal-music.md)

### 4 Music for Stage & Screen
- 4.1 Schwartz: Defying Gravity
  - [4.1.1 Defying Gravity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-1-defying-gravity.md)
  - [4.1.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-2-other-features.md)
  - [4.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-3-wider-listening.md)
  - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Defying Gravity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-defying-gravity.md)
- 4.2 Williams: Star Wars Episode IV
  - [4.2.1 A New Hope](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-1-a-new-hope.md)
  - [4.2.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [4.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-3-other-features.md)
  - [4.2.4 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-4-wider-listening.md)
  - [4.2.5 End of Topic Test - Star Wars Episode IV](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-5-end-of-topic-test-star-wars-episode-iv.md)

### 5 Fusions
- 5.1 Afro Celt Sound System: Release
  - [5.1.1 Release](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-1-1-release.md)
  - [5.1.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-1-2-other-features.md)
  - [5.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-1-3-wider-listening.md)
- 5.2 Spalding: Samba Em Preludio
  - [5.2.1 Samba Em Preludio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-1-samba-em-preludio.md)
  - [5.2.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [5.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-3-other-features.md)
  - [5.2.4 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-4-wider-listening.md)
  - [5.2.5 End of Topic Test - Fusions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-5-end-of-topic-test-fusions.md)